DS VIRGIN RACING CONCLUDES POSITIVE FORMULA E TESTING PROGRAMME

DS Virgin Racing showed strong form across all three days of official pre-season Formula E testing at Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo Circuit, with preparations on track for the season opener in Hong Kong.

Driver pairing Sam Bird and Alex Lynn – the series’ first ever all-British line-up – racked up a sizeable tally of 440 laps around the 3.09km modified National Circuit in the team’s season four DSV-03 challenger (see specification below).

Focusing on gaining valuable data ahead of the opening rounds on 2/3 December, the team conducted a series of race simulations and qualifying runs as it aims to continue its previous success in the all-electric championship.

The opening session on day one saw Bird top the timesheets with Lynn P4, with the two going on to show strong pace across day two. Day three saw Bird in P6 and Lynn in P8 in the morning session, with longer race simulations conducted in the afternoon.

Summarising the three-day test programme Bird said: “Preparations have gone well. We’ve shown a good turn of speed but this track isn’t representative of the Formula E circuits we’re used to so we’ll have to wait and see how our form here translates come the opening race. The car feels good though as we’ve made some small but significant tweaks to optimise our already strong package.”

Lynn said: “Overall it’s been a positive test session for the team, which together with the data collected from our private test programme, puts us in good stead for the season. We’ve been able to work through our various scenarios and set-ups and I can’t wait to start my first full Formula E season.”

Team Principal Alex Tai commented: “I’m delighted with the team’s performance this week. Yet again we’ve shown we have a competitive package heading into season four. The Valencia circuit is not an ideal testing ground so it’s hard to state with any confidence where we are compared to other teams but, for sure, we are working well as a unit. Both our drivers have more than enough skill to make the difference and the whole team can’t wait for the season-opener to show what we can do.”

DS Performance Director Xavier Mestelan Pinon added: “This official testing session is a like a final rehearsal before the start of the season. We refined and validated the technical choices made during our R&D tests, which began in January with the DSV-03. The cars are technically very demanding. The experience accumulated over the last three years allows us to better anticipate the technical challenges that we will have to face. This will be essential for the first meeting of the season in December”

The 2017/2018 FIA Formula E Championship begins in Hong Kong on December 2.